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About


Mt. Garfield
Bethlehem, NH, Franconia, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Garfield Trail
Looking up the Garfield Trail

Route: Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, (Mt. Garfield), Garfield Ridge Trail, Garfield

After consecutive long days on the trails, I took advantage of the rainy morning to take it easy and get some stuff done. Once things cleared up, I decided to head up and hike the generally gradual Garfield Trail to Mt. Garfield.

The lower portion of the trail was bursting with greenery. The water crossings were doable, though I did take the opportunity to look at the possible bypasses in high water (hang left before the first crossing, use the woods road bridge, cross over the Garfield Trail, take the other woods road bridge, then look back to the left onto the Garfield Trail).

After a brief taste of snow and ice on the Garfield Ridge Trail, I was soon at the windy summit of Mt. Garfield. The views were quite good - a dramatic departure from the dreary morning weather.

Not a bad day for Mt. Garfield!


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Mt. Garfield
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Sunday, May 24, 2009
Hike Commenced: 3:02 PM
Parking Elevation: 1,540'
Destination: Mt. Garfield
Ascent Commenced: 3:03 PM
Summit Reached: 5:05 PM
Time Elapsed: 02:02
Trailhead Elevation: 1,535'
Summit Elevation: 4,500'
Vertical Gain: 3,055'
Hike Ended: 7:55 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 04:53
Hike Vertical Gain: 3,150'


The Garfield Trail trailhead
The Garfield Trail trailhead

A lady slipper on the Garfield Trail
A lady slipper on the Garfield Trail

Looking southwest at South Twin from the Mt. Garfield summit - Click to enlarge
Looking southwest at South Twin from the Mt. Garfield summit

Topographic map of Mt. Garfield - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: Take Route 3 South from US 302. Due to bridges being out on the west end of Gale River Road, take a left onto Gale River Road at the Five Corners junction. Bear left at the first fork, then take a right at the second fork, passing the Gale River Trail parking area. A few minutes later, the Garfield Trail WMNF fee hiker parking area is on the left, just before the Garfield Trail trailhead.

Back to Mt. Garfield Profile




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